Investigators are reviewing the medical history of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the Air India pilot who died in last month’s fatal crash in Ahmedabad, amid reports of prior mental health struggles, including depression.
Captain Sabharwal, 56, was piloting the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, killing 241 people. A single passenger survived the disaster.
According to The Telegraph, Sabharwal had taken medical leave in recent years, reportedly due to mental health concerns. He had also taken time off following the death of his mother in 2022 and was considering early retirement to care for his elderly father.
Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan said he had received reports from other Air India pilots indicating that Sabharwal had been dealing with depression. “He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years,” Ranganathan noted. “He must have been medically cleared by the company doctors before returning to active duty.”
Air India confirmed that Sabharwal passed a routine medical examination in September 2024 and had been cleared for flying duties.
The investigation is focusing in part on whether human error contributed to the crash. A preliminary report revealed that the jet’s engine fuel cutoff switch was activated just three seconds after takeoff, though the reasons for this remain unclear.
Air India’s CEO has contested the early findings, defending the airline’s safety protocols and urging caution as the investigation continues.
